Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: MWirwicki on January 08, 2013, 03:43:56 pm
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I harvested an osage limb a couple of years ago, and left it in the bow shop to season. While cleaning up the shop a bit I unburied the limb, held it in my hand, brought it to my eyes and it spoke, “Build me.”
So completely on impulse like buying "Joo-Joo-Bees" off the display rack at the checkout counter:
I laid it on its side and drew a line along the side center of the limb. I allowed for a handle section also oriented to utilize the benefit of the natural reflex, and then cut it out on my saw. Next, I removed the bark using my sharpest drawknife, taking care not to violate the sapwood rings. The limb didn’t have the diameter I felt, to make a hunting weight bow without the sapwood. Once the bark was removed, I sanded the back. I think that the added attention to the back allows the wood time to speak to me; apologizing or admitting any flaws or structural concerns that I might need to be aware of from here on out. I then smoothed out my saw marks on the belly and put it on the reflex form for heating. It took the corrections well and made the tillering process go rather smooth. Before I knew it, I was shooting it in. It turned out 40 lbs at 26", it's 52-inches long NTN and shy of 1-1/4 inches wide tapered to 1/2-inch with decorative pin nocks. I finished it with glossy poly-u on the belly side and with satin on the back to keep the glare down.
I don’t much name my bows, but I did this one as some of us older guys might have expected.
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What a great stave! You made a nice bow from it 8)
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great little bow, 40# that otta hunt, it's got the signature Wirwicki perfect tiller to, Bub
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I like Sonny...
Nice of you to Cher ...
Del
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nice bow Matt.it looks cool.
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Sweet little bow Matt. Bring it to Martys if your heading thatta way, I would love to see it.
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I love limb bows and pole bows and you did that old limb proud, Matt. Well done! 8)
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very nice Matt.
rich
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Osage limb bows are just gorgeous. Better lookers than normal osage heartwood bows IMDO (stands for in my demented opinion, ;D)
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Very nice work.
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Awesome bow, but I have to ask, how did you know my draw weight and length?...lol.. Great job Matt
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I have alway wanted to try a limb bow. Thay bow is real cool!
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Great lookin bow Matt. Didnt know Sonny myself, but from what others have said he was the master of limbos. You did that knarly old limb justice.
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I love that bow! Way to bring out the full potential from that stave. Well thought out lay-out to really fine execution. Tiller, finish and character are all there, great work.
Greg
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Great job on that bow Matt. I have some staves about the same size. After seeing this I might just have to start working on one.
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Had the pleasure of seeing this bow in person Saturday, I'm sure Sonny is smiling for sure. Matt & I talked about sitting under the awning of Sonny & Joyces trailer at Marshall and "chewin' the fat", what a nice Guy - RIP Sonny ! Bob
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That's a nice one Matt. Just what I like.
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i like to see this type of bow, hopefully i can also make limb bows that look that good.
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Staves like that are what dreams are made from! Great job removing the bow from her tomb. Great looking bow!
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Thank you all for the kind words. Bows with inner meaning to them seem to be the most special. I'm sensing a rabbit or squirrel hunt soon with her.
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Now that bow is just awesome.. Simple and beautiful, just my style. Great tribute to the master of the limb bow as well.
Great job
Jon
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I love limb bows and this one is perfect! The bows Sonny used to post in the early issues are what got my blood going at a early age. Thanks for sharing!
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That looks like a real nice bow Matt :) well done buddy!
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Great job Matt!! :D
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Awesome! Good job! Thanks for sharing.
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WOW!
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Sweet little bow,and I love the name,good of you to remember,he was a great
guy for sure and I feel sure he would approve of your work. :)
Pappy
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Very nice bow Matt!
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That is a pretty little limb bow. I love your work Matt.
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Brought tears to my these old eyes !
Thanks !!
Guy
There is a limb in my shop just cant seem to see to work on it !
His wife still shows up at an OSTA shoot from time to time! or did the last I heard anyway ,I have not been to them the last year or so !
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Nice little bow! With osage anything is possible :)
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Cool bow! :)
Catahoula
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Well done! Always like the pith groove on Osage saplings and limb bows.
Tracy
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nice bow!
I don't know the Sonny that y'all are referring to.....
I use "sonny" here as a remembrance of my Dad (also Sonny)
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I like it! Well done.
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That's a dandy.Handy natural looking bow to have around.Never knew your friend but I'm sure he would approve.
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sonny , Sonny was a legendary limb bow builder from the past ,he build some of the nicest looking and shooting limb bows I have ever see.He was featured in PA back in the early days of the magazine .Those that knew him miss him a lot. He also designed the 1/4 inch field tip,the kind that are on a lot of kids arrows today . He passed a few years back. :( He was a class act. :) Very nice on Matt to jog my memory of him. :)
Pappy
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Matt
I posted a link to here on OSTA's facebook page and they where glad to see Sonny remembered !!
a couple of them got fired up and dug out some of his bows and headed to the woods !
Thanks again !
Guy
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Again, thanks all for the very kind words. Guy, thanks for posting it on the OSTA site! We all loved Sonny. He was an excepional fellow.